Transitions in California Racing
Warren Stute has changed barns. If he can hear me, I know he will smile.
I always took his smiles as more than just smiles. They were messages
of approval. Warren exercised horses for as long as he was able. When he
no longer could do that, he rode his pony until he could no longer do
that. For the last few months, he would walk back and forth to and from
his barn. Near the end, his son, Glen, would almost have to carry him to
the track and back. But Warren wouldn't give up. He was a horse
trainer. Nobody who gives up is a horse trainer. Everyday with every
horse is a new challenge and a new inspiration to keep trying.
Edward I. Halpern, CTT Exec - (01 October 2007 - Issue Number: 5)
Northern California Report
As the summer fair racing circuit of 2007 starts to wind down, the
anxiety as to what Northern California's overall racing circuit will
look like starts to grow. By all indications, Bay Meadows will not race
after 2008.While many horsemen held out hope that Bay Meadows would be
spared of their development plans and continue to race, that scenario
looks less likely each day. In fact, the Bay Meadows Land Company (BMLC)
is telling the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) that they would
only like to race until July of 2008. It is very disappointing that BMLC
has taken this position, as they made such an issue of not originally
being granted an exemption for the synthetic surface mandate. The CHRB
granted the waiver, with BMLC now saying they can't race past the summer
months. Go figure! The CTT is very involved in negotiations in trying
to get Bay Meadows to commit to a stabling program through the fall if
they do not race after July of 2008.
Charles E. Dougherty, Jr. CTT Deputy Director (01 October 2007 )
Meet the Cauthens - a horseracing dynasty
Meet the Cauthens - a horseracing dynasty
At the end of a shady road in Walton, Kentucky, in the land that time is just beginning to remember, sits the farmhouse that saw the scraped knees of Tex and Myra Cauthen's three children: Steve, Doug and Kerry. As his nickname suggests, Tex is a transplant from Texas, while Myra was raised on a horse farm in Kentucky.
Frances J Karon (01 July 2007 - Issue Number: 4)
Equine Exercise Physiology - understanding basic terminology and concepts
Equine exercise physiology is defined as the study of the horse’s body systems in response to exercise. A relatively new scientific field, equine exercise physiology provides an incredible amount of information that can be used to maximize performance, and extend the health and longevity of the athletic horse.
Robert Keck (01 July 2007 - Issue Number: 4)
Forage - So much more than just a filler
Too often thought of as just a filler or occupational therapy to while away the time between hard feeds, forage is worth so much more than that. Simply feeding an inadequate quantity of forage, or choosing forage that has an inappropriate nutrient profile, or is of poor quality can have a negative impact both on health and performance in racehorses.
Dr Catherine Dunnett (01 July 2007 - Issue Number: 4)
Nasal Strips - increasing performance, reducing EIPH
Bill Heller (01 July 2007 - Issue Number: 4)
Nutritional Ergogenic aids for horses - boosting performance
No doubt we are all aware of the plethora of dietary supplements that are now available and that are promoted as offering clear and profound benefits to our horses’ health, general well being and performance. In the latter category are the so-called ergogenic aids. So what are they, and do they work?These are the questions that this article aims to address.
Dr Catherine Dunnett (01 July 2007 - Issue Number: 4)
The growing influence of South Africa in the world Pari-mutuel industry
Trivia fiends interested in international horseracing and betting will have a field day with the combined question: Which country operates the world’s most extensive pari-mutuel system, and which company is the operator? It might not be who you would expect...
Howard Wright (European Trainer - issue 18 - Summer 2007)
Mike de Kock makes Newmarket his European summer base
Meeting Mike de Kock, I soon knew that he most certainly is a case of a horseman turned businessman, and remaining a horseman first and foremost. Strange really, when it comes to light that he was brought up in a Dutch / English family with no connections to horses.
Geir Stabell (European Trainer - issue 18 - Summer 2007)
Horsewalkers - should they be round or oval?
Horsewalkers are used extensively in the management and training of horses. They permit controlled exercise of horses at walk and trot and are less labour intensive than most other forms of controlled exercise, such as walking in-hand, lunging, riding, swimming or running horses on treadmills.
Dr David Marlin & Paul Farrington (European Trainer - issue 18 - Summer 2007)
Nasal Strips - increasing performance, reducing EIPH
Nasal strips’ future in Thoroughbred racing seemed limitless in the fall of 1999. Just two weeks after longshot Burrito won a race at Keeneland wearing one, 29 of the 101 horses competing in the 1999 Breeders’ Cup at Gulfstream Park November 6th had the 4-by-6-inch strip affixed 1.5 inches above their nostrils.
Bill Heller (European Trainer - issue 18 - Summer 2007)
Nick Cox - an Australian trainer now based in Ireland
The damp of County Meath seems a long way from the sunshine of Melbourne, but to first season trainer Nick Cox it’s home from home. Mind you, it’s very misleading to refer to this as his first season, since Nick already has more than 180 winners to his name, back in his native Australia. So what made him decide to make the former Mitchelstown Stud here in Ireland his new base for training?
Lissa Oliver (European Trainer - issue 18 - Summer 2007)
Nutritional ergogenic aids for horses
No doubt we are all aware of the plethora of dietary supplements that are now available and that are promoted as offering clear and profound benefits to our horses’ health, general well being and performance. In the latter category are the so-called ergogenic aids. So what are they, and do they work?
Dr Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 18 - Summer 2007)
Forage - so much more than just a filler
Too often thought of as just a ‘filler’, or occupational therapy to while away the time between hard feeds, forage is worth so much more than that. Simply feeding an inadequate quantity of forage, or choosing forage that has an inappropriate nutrient profile, or is of poor quality can have a negative impact both on health and performance in racehorses.
Dr Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - Issue 18 - Summer 2007)
Equine Exercise Physiology - understanding basic terminology and concepts
Anaerobic work is performed at heart rates above 150 BPM and involves explosive power such as short sprints, acceleration, and fast galloping. A Quarter Horse running 2 furlongs would be deriving energy 60% anaerobically and 40% aerobically.
Robert Keck (European Trainer - issue 18 - Winter 2007)
California Horse Racing Board explain their drug testing procedures
The rules of racing are intended to maintain a level playing field; any
drug testing program is meant to monitor compliance to those rules. In
reality, drug testing is a deterrent. For truly illicit activity where
the intent is to take an unfair advantage (cheat), the current program
in California is working well. But we know it isn't perfect. We are
always looking for holes in the system and ways to improve the program.
Rick M. Arthur, DVM, - (01 July 2007 - Issue Number: 4)
THE FUTURE OF RACING IN CALIFORNIA - A NEW SAGA
California is racing into the future, or maybe not. As of writing, there
is turmoil and uncertainty as to how racing will develop in the
immediate future. A long-term prognosis is even more uncertain. The
California Legislature has placed a stranglehold on funding for the
California Horse Racing Board.
Edward I. Halpern, CTT Exec - (01 July 2007 - Issue Number: 4)
Gregson Foundation Honors Joe & Barbara Harper
Twin Palms in Pasadena was jammed with 400 guests on April 23 to honor
Joe and Barbara Harper of Del Mar at the annual Edwin J. Gregson
Foundation benefit hosted by California Thoroughbred Trainers.
About $100,000 was raised for the foundation, which since its inception
seven years ago, has raised close to $1 million specifically for
educational purposes for backstretch workers and their families.
Steve Schuelein (01 July 2007 - Issue Number: 4)